Direct from San Pedro Sula

Did the Maurice Edu Era Begin Again in Honduras?

The central midfielder was one of the few bright spots for the United States men's national team during a 2-1 loss to Honduras. Does his substitute stint mean bigger and better things are coming?

BY
Noah Davis
Posted
February 06, 2013
6:50 PM

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SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras—It has not been a good year for Maurice Edu. The 26-year-old midfielder spent most of it bouncing around from club to club, hardly playing until he landed at Bursaspor in the wasteland of the Turkish league.
But on a night when the United States men's national team struggled on a number of different levels, his inclusion into the lineup in the 58th minute helped the Americans find their form.
"In the second half, with Maurice Edu, things calmed down a bit. He cleaned things up a bit. He played simple balls. We had more possesion. That's what we were asking him for," Klinsmann said at a press conference after the match.
The late substitute role is nothing new for Edu as he came on midway through the second half in four of the squad's last five fixtures, not counting the friendly against Canada during which he was not on the roster. Klinsmann clearly likes bringing Edu on in the second half, but if the midfielder can find consistent playing time with his new club, you have to wonder if he'll be in line for a starting role soon. After all, between February and September 7, 2012, he got the call at the opening whistle on seven of eight occasions.
Danny Williams, Jermaine Jones, and even Michael Bradley struggled against Honduras. The head coach isn't one to sit idly by. The Americans are desperate for three points against Costa Rica in March, so don't be surprised to see Edu get the call. Also, he played all 90 minutes of the August victory in Azteca. And we all know where the U.S. plays four days after they battle the Ticos in Denver, don't we?